The WNPA Foundation was established in 1986 to foster the development of educational and research programs of benefit to community newspapers in Washington, and to enhance the public's understanding of the role of community newspapers in today's society. It is a nonprofit corporation. Donations are tax deductible through Section 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation.

Click here to download a Foundation brochure.

A board of directors made up of WNPA member publishers, past presidents of WNPA, journalism educators and industry experts manages the Foundation's work. The Foundation has office space with Washington Newspaper Publishers Association.

WNPA Foundation
12354 30th Ave. NE
Seattle WA 98125-5406
tel (206) 634-3838
fax (206) 634-3842

E-mail contact is

PROGRAMS

Among the Foundation's programs are internship scholarships that place high school and college students at community newspapers for part of a summer. The Zubrod Legislative Reporting Internship is for college students and takes place during the state's legislative session in Olympia.

The Foundation's Educator-in-Residence program, also summer internships at community newspapers, provides teachers with practical experience that they can take back to their classrooms.

The Publisher-in-Residence program places publishers of community newspapers at university journalism departments, where they discuss professional practices and career opportunities over several days each academic year.

FUNDING

The Foundation manages an endowment fund and presents its financial report to the Board of Directors and the general membership at the annual board meeting held during the Washington Newspaper Publishers Association convention. A silent auction held during the WNPA convention is its primary fund-raising activity.

The Foundation follows a conservative investment strategy. Programs are funded with interest income from the endowments, and donations not dedicated to a specific fund are applied to the Foundation's endowment fund. The Foundation's administrative work is provided by WNPA for a nominal annual fee. While the Foundation maintains close ties with WNPA, it is completely independent from it. The first donation to the WNPA Foundation was made on July 25, 1979, by Dixie Lee Bradley, who served as assistant director of WNPA for 45 years. Since her initial contribution, the Foundation's financial base has grown thanks to the people and businesses that believe in the importance of community newspapers. Those who have donated $10,000 or more to the Foundation are Kay Flaherty, Wallie Funk, Betty Helberg, Jean Fournier Morgan, Verizon Northwest and WNPA.

The Foundation also raises funds at auctions held during the WNPA annual convention. Donations to the Foundation are tax deductible through Section 501(c)(3) and can be mailed to 12354 30th Ave NE, Seattle WA 98125-5406.